Also this issue:

A Nutter Disappointment
City Councilman fumes over déjà vu veto override vote.
-Daryl Gale

Office Politics
State Rep. Rosita Youngblood is suing her party's leadership over how much money she is given to run her office.
-Daniel Brook

They Took Manhattan
-Mary F. Patel

Gail Shister
-Interview by Deborah Bolling

Hall Monitor
-Daniel Brook

December 19-25, 2002

the bell curve

City Paper's weekly gauge of Philly's Quality of Life

Badge and gun stolen from car of cop who allegedly toasted Allen Iverson's "next felony." Iverson issues statement denying culpability, also noting that "it's only a misdemeanor." Minus 1

City cop says she was nearly run down in Suburban Station by golf cart driven by fellow officer. You have to play a little faster, honey. Minus 1

Workers repairing fire-damaged roof at Fairmount Waterworks accidentally cause another blaze. You can lead a city employee to water but you can't make him think. Minus 1

SEPTA blames fallen leaves for last month's abysmal on-time record. Environmentalists decry insensitive remarks; general manager appears on Discovery Channel to apologize. Minus 2

Council passes bills making way for IKEA store to open here. Store will be built quickly and look good for a year, then fall apart. Plus 3

Ex-boyfriend of cop charged after allegedly making threats involving anthrax and explosives and trying to frame her. Shifty ways to leave your lover. Minus 1

Daily News and Gyro ad firm offer plan to market city's coolness. First slogan: "See where those old ladies are sitting? That used to be Love Park." Plus 1

Democratic fundraiser with city contracts sentenced to 32 months for elaborate tax-evasion scheme. But with good behavior he could be out in time to run the mayor's re-election campaign. Plus 2

Allen Iverson provokes fans' ire by wearing Celtics jersey. Perhaps now he'd like to show up for Olympic team practice draped in an Iraqi flag. Minus 3

Total pluses: 6

Total minuses: 9

Score for the week: -3

Last week’s score: -6